Danger Within: What's lurking in your kids' hockey bags?

When you think of the dangers associated with playing hockey, what comes to mind? You’d probably think of concussions and hits from behind first since there’s been such a spotlight on those subjects lately. There have been more injuries caused by errant skate blades recently too, and there’s always the stick fouls and knee injuries.

Did you even consider the possibility of losing a limb?

Try Hockey for Free!

Quick post to tell you about an upcoming USA Hockey event.

Have your kids ever wanted to try hockey but the high costs pushed you away? Well, here's your chance! As part of Hockey Weekend Across America, area rinks will be offering the opportunity to try the greatest game in the world.

"On March 1, 2014, USA Hockey and over 400 local programs across the country will encourage kids, ages 4 to 9, to come to a local participating rink and try youth hockey as part of Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by CCM. All locations have a limited amount of equipment available for use."

The best way to find a participating rink close to you is to search here on the Try Hockey for Free website. There's an interactive map that allows you to enter your zip code (at the bottom of the map) and search for rinks in your area. (I'll warn you that it didn't work very well for me on my iPhone, so if you want to save yourself some frustration it's best to use a laptop or maybe a tablet.)

I've listed some of the participating rinks in the Philly area after the jump for your reference, with links to register for each location. The start time varies by location, so be sure to check it closely and find the best rink for your location and schedule.

Have you participated in past Try Hockey for Free events? If so, we'd love to hear how it went. Post a comment about your experience. Here's an article about the November event from the Lehigh Valley Flames.

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Follow-up on the Pointstreak Stats Vote

From the DVHL website:

At the January 8 President's meeting a vote was taken and approved to remove all stats from the DVHL website for the remainder of this season and all of next season.

This season and all of next. I guess we've got 18 months to shape up.

Pointstreak, the DVHL, and Crazy Hockey Parents

Well, hockey parents, now you've done it. I can't even say "hockey parents" anymore - that implicates way too many good, reasonable people. But the "crazy hockey parents", the CHPs, have once again ruined a good thing for the rest of us.

A great time in the home of the Great One

Wow.

Inside my head I've been saying that over and over for the past four days.

The family and I just returned from a whirlwind of a weekend in Brantford, Ontario and the 44th Annual Wayne Gretzky International Tournament. We were there with the Valley Forge Colonials Peewee A team, filling in for some of their regulars who couldn't (or didn't) make the trip.

The trip was incredible. We got there on Friday around noon, after a long drive and overnight stay in Buffalo. Our first game was at 2pm and from that point on there was hardly a second to breathe! There's so much to write about - I'll try to focus on a few things.

Survey Results! Youth Hockey: A Game for the Rich?

Results are in from the latest Beeski survey on the cost of youth hockey.

Inspired by an article by James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail, I asked you what you spent on youth hockey in a recently completed season. I wanted to find out if hockey has become, as the article says, "a game strictly for the rich".

Results after the jump.

Youth Hockey: A Game for the Rich?

A friend of mine, who happens to be an awesome hockey mom - and a goalie mom at that! - sent me a really interesting article about the rising cost of youth hockey and its impact on the game in Canada. It seemed like a great topic for a blog post, and it also inspired me to create the latest Beeski Survey!